10 actions that can hurt your body when you are nervous

We subconsciously touch our noses when we are nervous, bite our nails in panic when we are anxious, and lick our dry lips when we are anxious... Recently, the Popular Health Network published an article saying that these seemingly ordinary actions may affect our health.

Nail biting

Dr. Michael Shapiro, a New York dermatologist, said that if you have the habit of biting your nails frequently, it will damage the nails and the skin around the nails. The bacteria in your mouth will be transferred to the skin, and the bacteria on your hands will also take the opportunity to enter the human body, causing gingivitis or throat infection, etc. Suggestion: You can wrap tape around your fingertips to remind yourself not to bite your nails.

Pulling hair

New York dermatologist Dr. Ariel Oster explained that frequently tugging at your hair with your fingers can damage the roots, leading to temporary or permanent hair loss, and there is also the possibility of scalp infection. Suggestion: Constant hair pulling may be a symptom of "trichotillomania", a condition that causes impulse control. People with this condition may need psychological and drug treatment.

Twisting the neck

My head suddenly tilted to one side, and the bones and joints made a "click" sound. I felt comfortable and relaxed instantly, but it hurt my cervical spine. Repeated twisting can damage the ligaments and reduce the neck's ability to cushion external impacts. Dr. Michael Graber, assistant professor and plastic surgeon at the Charles M. Schmidt College of Medicine at Florida Atlantic University, said that twisting the neck can also cause joint contusions, which can easily lead to arthritis and even stroke over time. Suggestion: When your neck is uncomfortable, you can gently massage it with your hands or apply a hot towel for a while.

Touching the face

Actions such as touching your nose, squeezing pimples, and supporting your chin may damage the epidermis of your face. Dr. Jessica Collante, clinical assistant professor of dermatology at the State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, said that if there are wounds and bleeding on the face, it is easy to cause infection and leave permanent scars. Recommendation: Wash your hands frequently, do not squeeze pimples or scratch itchy skin, and apply some moisturizer to relieve the symptoms.

Grit your teeth

Justin Phillips, a dentist in Chandler, Arizona, said that "clenching your teeth" when you are nervous can greatly affect your oral health. Grinding your teeth can cause tooth chipping, damage the jaw joint, and cause temporomandibular arthritis. Recommendation: Teeth grinding is a subconscious reaction when people face stress, but in most cases it is a manifestation of uneven or missing teeth, which can be improved through orthodontics.

Eat hard candy

Jack Linger, president of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, points out that eating hard candies can bathe your teeth in sugar, which can lead to tooth decay. Additionally, biting hard candies can damage your teeth. Suggestion: It’s okay to eat some candy in moderation, but the candy should not be too sweet, too sour, or too hard.

Licking lips

Dr. Whitney Bowe, a New York dermatologist, says that licking your lips when you're anxious brings out digestive enzymes in your mouth, which can dry out and crack your lips, leading to cheilitis. Dr. Coyle Connolly, chairman of the Connolly Dermatology Institute in New Jersey, added that biting your lips when you're nervous can also cause fibroid lesions that require surgery. Suggestion: When you are nervous, you may drink some water to relieve stress and relax.

Cheek bite

Similar to nail biting, biting the inside of your cheek is also a nervous habit. Jack Linge said that the inside of the cheek will swell after being bitten, which leads people to bite this area frequently, even after the wound has healed. Over time, repeated biting of the inside of your cheeks can lead to chronic inflammation and scarring. Recommendation: If you accidentally bite the inside of your cheek or have oral ulcers, take medication actively and go to the hospital if necessary.

Chewing gum

Justin Philip said that chewing gum constantly when you are anxious may cause excessive tension in the jaw muscles, leading to temporomandibular joint disease. According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Center (NDDIC), excessive chewing can cause people to swallow too much air, increasing the chance of bloating. Suggestion: You can take alternative methods to correct it, such as drinking more water, eating an apple, etc.

Chewing the pen

Ted Myatt, director of the University of Rhode Island, said that the tip of a pen harbors many germs, and biting that area could lead to infection that could be transmitted to others. In addition, biting the pen tip can damage teeth and hurt gums. Suggestion: Similar to biting your nails, you can wrap colored tape around the tip of your pen to remind yourself.